Andy Warhol Campbell Soup

Andy Warhol Campbell Soup, also known as Campbell’s Soup Cans or 32 Campbell’s Soup Cans, is a series of artworks by artist Andy Warhol. First appearance

The first artwork produced by Warhol depicting the cans was a series of 32 canvases made in 1962, each showing a different soup can from the Campbell’s range.

The 32 synthetic polymer on canvas depictions, each measuring 50 by 40 cm, first went on display at Eleanor Ward's Stable Gallery in New York in November 1962.

These original 32 are now housed at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York; the museum having acquired them for an estimated $15m from art dealer Irving Blum in 1996.

Further works

Warhol went on to create a number of different variations on the original theme. He produced several pieces in 1962 in addition to the original 32, while in 1965 he created many depictions in a variety of different colours. He returned to the theme again in the 1970s.

Notable sales

Although the art world’s reaction to the works was initially muted, the pieces were soon being sold for significant amounts. Big Campbell’s Soup Can with Torn Label (Vegetable Beef) (1962) made $60,000 in 1970, setting a record for a piece by a living US artist.

In November 2010, Big Campbell’s Soup Can with Can Opener (Vegetable) (1962), sold at a Christie’s auction in New York for $23.88 million, setting a world record for a work from the Campbell Soup series at auction.

Small Torn Campbell Soup Can (Pepper Pot) (1962), sold for $11.7m at Christie’s in May 2006. It was bought by art collector Eli Broad.